Healthy Homes Assessment Plimmerton

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Plimmerton rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

• Draught Stopping
• Heating
• Insulation
• Ventilation
• Moisture Ingress & Drainage

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be completed and offer the report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Plimmerton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Plimmerton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Plimmerton, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Plimmerton rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on Plimmerton rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Plimmerton Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Plimmerton

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A humid house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within your house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building when the house is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Plimmerton

Rental properties in Plimmerton must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it may need an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Plimmerton

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dried air can be easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and are not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight needs at least to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Plimmerton

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and also makes more easy for the household to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Plimmerton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Plimmerton

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Plimmerton include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Plimmerton for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check during the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties home evaluation.